Drive means for double cylinder circular knitting machine

ABSTRACT

A knitting machine having a pair of rotatable needle cylinders aligned along a common axis. Means are provided for rotating one of the cylinders and transmitting the rotation to the other. The transmission means being disconnectable to selectively interrupt the rotation of the second cylinder while the first cylinder continues to rotate.

United States Patent 1191 Veda Early 16, 1974 [54] DRIVE MEANS FOR DOUBLE CYLINDER 2,228,688 1/1941 Clarke 66/14 I L KNITTING MACHINE 2,258,927 10/1941 Clarke 66/ 14 2,606,432 8/1952 Caninasio et a1. 66/56 Inventor: Gustav Veda, Treble, 2,722,116 11/1956 Griesbach 66/56 Czechoslovakia 3,021,699 2/1962 Crawford 66/56 Assignee: Elitex a y te ih t ojire stvi 3,272,294 9/1966 Wainwright 66/56 X generalni reditelstvi, Liberec, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 333,456 8/1930 Great Britain 66/56 [22] Filed: June 20, 1972 Primary Examiner-James Kee Chi [21] Appl' 264463 Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Murray Schaffer [30] Foreign Application Priority Data 57] ABSTRACT June 21, 1971 Czechoslovakia 4574-71 A knittmg machine having a pair of rotatable needle 52 US. Cl. .66/14, 66/56 cylinders aligned along a Common eXiS- Means are 51 1m. (:1 D04b 9/10 provided for rotating one of the cylinders and trans- [58] Field of Search 66/14, 56, 63 mitting the rotation to the ether- The transmission means being disconnectable to selectively interrupt 5 References Cited the rotation of the second cylinder while the first cyl- UNITED STATES PATENTS inder continues to rotate. 1,210,866 1/1917 Spiers 66/56 X 7 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL 1 51914 SHEET 1 OF 2 Ill IHII DRIVE MEANS FOR DOUBLE CYLINDER CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to a double cylinder circular knitting machine and particularly to such a machine for knitting hosiery.

The two cylinder circular knitting machines hitherto known are provided with axially aligned lower and upper needle cylinders which are so arranged that they do not permit the mutual angular displacement or stoppage of one cylinder relative to the other during knitting. For that reason, the method of twisting the knitwork cannot be used to close the hose.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a double cylinder circular knitting machine permitting the application of the twisting method of closing hosiery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a double needle cylinder knitting machine wherein one needle cylinder can be stopped or angularly displaced relative to the other during the knitting operatron.

Further objects and advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention a knitting machine is provided having a pair of rotatable needle cylinders aligned along a common axis. Means are provided for rotating one of the cylinders and transmitting the rotation to the other. The transmission means being disconnectable so selectively interrupt the rotation of the second cylinder while the first cylinder continues to rotate.

Preferably, the transmission is provided with clutch means which engage the gear fixed to the second cylinder. The clutch means being operable to be disconnected so that the second cylinder is not driven. Simultaneously means are provided to brake the rotation of the second cylinder so that only one of the cylinders rotates.

The advantage of the present arrangement lies in the fact that rotation of one cylinder may be selectively interrupted without modifying or changing its axis of rotation and without modifying or changing the normal drive means or the operation of the other cylinder.

Full details of the present invention are given in the following description and are seen in the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is schematic view of the drive of a double cylinder knitting machine;

FIG. 2 is enlarged sectional view of the transmission according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is sectional view along line 3 3 of FIG. 2 showing the engagement of the clutch means; and

FIG. 4 is view similar to FIG. 3 showing disengagement of the clutch means.

DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION The conventional arrangement for driving a double cylinder knitting machine is schematically shown in FIG. 1. The upper needle cylinder 1 and the lower needle cylinder are commonly driven by a shaft 3 connected to the main drive, drive cam, motor or other drive means as is well known. A bevel gear 4 is connected on the end of the shaft 3 and meshes with a mating bevel gear 5 secured coaxially about the lower nee dle cylinder 2. A spur gear 6 secured to the lower needle cylinder 2 above the bevel gear 5 meshes with a similar gear 7 secured to the end of a vertical shaft 8 arranged parallel to the axis of the needle cylinder. The upper end of the shaft 8 is provided with another spur gear 15 meshing with a similar gear 37 secured to the upper cylinder 1. Thus rotation of the shaft 3 is transmitted simultaneously to both cylinder 1 and 2.

According to the present invention however, FIGS. 2 4, the upper end of the vertical shaft 8 is provided by means of a key 9 or wedge type securement with a cup shaped member 10 having an upwardly directed circular flange. The member 10 is adapted to thus rotate conjointly with the shaft. A slot 11 or narrow groove of defined arc is formed in the circular flange of the memberllf) into which a tongue 12 is adapted to fit. The tongue 12 is a part of fork shaped member 13 which sits in thebowl portion of the cup 10 straddling the shaft 8 as seen in FIG. 3, and is enabled to reciprocate radially as well as rotationally about the shaft 8.

Lying above the forked member 13 is the gear 15 which in this case is slightly enlarged axially and is freely rotatable about the shaft 8. The gear 15 is provided with a pair of depending side walls 14 which straddle the arms of the forked member 13 and a transverse depending wall 16 which lies opposed to the ends of the arms of the forked member. Each of the arms of the forked member has a bore into which a spring 17 is set bearing against the depending wall 16. The member 13 is thus normally biased radially outward of the cup 10 although shiftable within the walls 14.

Each of the depending walls 14 is provided with a transverse bore 18, while each of the outer edges of the arms of the forked member 13 sliding against the walls 14 is provided with a conical recess or notch 19. A ball is located in one of the bores 18 and is adapted to enter into the recess 19 in the event the forked member 13 is shifted so that its tongue element 12 is in the slot l1. Mounted on a pivot 21 secured within the wall 14 is a swingable brake segment 22 having an arcuate exterior surface. A set screw 23 is mounted within the swingable segment 22 so as to engage with the ball 20. The movement of the segment 22 is defined and controlled by an annular or ring-like shield 24 secured to a machine frame member 25 or other fixed member by a screw 26, to act as a brake on the system. A lid 27 caps the shaft 8 holding the parts in axial alignment. The lid 27 is secured by screws 28 to the frame member 25.

Returning to the forked member 13, a vertical pin 29 is secured at the tongue 12 and roller 30 arranged on it. The tongue is provided with a point or tip 31 which lies above the upper surface of a control finger 32. The roller 30 rides in cam like fashion against the edge sur face of a control finger 32. The control finger 32 is slidably mounted on a vertical rod 33 and is moved by an elevator rod 34 passing through its rear end. The elevator rod is provided with an upper abutment clamp 34a and a lower abutment clamp 34b to either side of the finger 32 which pushes it up or down as is obvious. Springs 35 and 36 spring load the elevator rod 34,

which is connected by suitable linkage to the machine control drum, cam or even to automatic means, such as a solenoid etc. to move it up or down on command.

The braking segment 22 is biased by a spring 38 seated in the wall 14. The gear 15 meshes with the gear 37 secured to upper needle cylinder 1.

In normal operation the drive of the shaft 3 is transmitted via the lower needle cylinder 2 to the shaft 8 which rotates the cup like member 10 conjointly with it. When the tongue 12 is arranged in the small slot 11 the forked member 13 is also rotated causing the gear to rotate thus turning the upper needle cylinder 1 via gear 37.

The braking segment 22 which is affixed to the depending wall 14 of the gear 15 is biased away from contact with the fixed ring 24 and therefore the gear 15 rotates freely and conjointly with the shaft 8.

Spring 17 maintains the forked member 13 biased within the slot 11 so that it will also securely rotate therein.

When necessary to stop the rotation of the upper needle cylinder during knitting for a given time in order to effect the twisting operation, the action of the present device is as follows: The rotational torque continues to be transmitted from shaft 3 via shaft 8 to flange 10. However, by operation of the control drum or other control device the elevator rod 34 is lifted causing the control finger 32 to also rise. The pointer 31 of element 13 is simultaneously pressed by control finger 32 inwardly as shown in FIG. 4 and bevel 12 of element 13 comes out of engagement with groove 11 of flange 10. The transmission of the rotational torque is thus interrupted. Thereafter flange 10 rotates freely; the inner roller 30 rolling against the inner surface of the flange. The ball is also pressed out of the conical recess 19 and pressed by edge of element 13 against screw 23. The action of ball 20 causes outward movement of the braking segment 22 which contacts, or begins to cooperate, with ring 24 to brake the movement of gear 15 and thus the rotation of the upper needle cylinder 1.

Thereafter, the control finger 32 is lowered by spring 36, and the lifting rod 34 is released from contact with its control means. As soon as the tongue 12 of member 13 is placed oppositely to groove 11 on the continuing rotation of flange cup 10, the springs 17 press element 13 back and the tongue 12 again falls into the slot 11 as shown in H0. 3. Ball 20 returns into the conical recess l9 and braking segment 22 under urging of the spring 38 moves out of contact with ring 24.

In order to prevent finger 32 from impacting on the tongue 12 upon manual turning or during operation of the machine, the spring 35 is provided, which normally biases the rod 34 downwardly. It will of course be obvious that the stoppage of the upper needle cylinder will be accomplished in synchronism with the needle operation and with the entire operation of the machine. It will be obvious to those skilled in this art that the remaining structure and function of the knitting machine will not vary or change. The absence of detail disclosure of the several parts of the machine is made therefore, for sake of brevity.

It will thus be seen that according to the present invention, a simple clutch transmission between the two cylinders is provided whereby on command from the control drum, or from some other automatic or manually operated device, the upper cylinder drive may be interrupted, or stopped. Stoppage may be for as long as selected or desired; meanwhile the lower cylinder continues its normal rotation. In this manner, the twisting off of hosiery on a double needle cylinder machine can be effected. It will be obvious that other patterning forms may be also obtained.

Various modifications and changes are possible. The mechanism may be inverted to selectively control the movement of the lower cylinder. Modification can be made to the several parts as will be obvious to those skilled in this art. Consequently the present disclosure should be taken as illustrative only and not as limiting of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a knitting machine having a pair of rotatable needle cylinders aligned along a common axis each of said cylinders being provided with a driven gear, means for rotating one of said cylinders, transmission means normally interconnecting said cylinders to rotate the second cylinder conjointly with said one cylinder, said transmission comprising shaft aligned parallel to said axis, a first gear mounted at one end of said shaft meshing with the driven gear on said one cylinder, clutch means mounted at the other end of said shaft, said clutch means including a second gear meshing with the driven gear on said second cylinder and a cup shaped member axially secured on said shaft, said cup shaped member having an annular flange and a transverse slot formed in said flange, a movable element interposed between said cup shaped member and said second gear, said movable element having means adapted to seat within said slot and means cooperatingly engaging said second gear, and means for moving said movable element selectively into and out of said slot whereby said transmission means is disconnectable to selectively interrupt rotation of the second cylinder while said first cylinder continues rotating.

2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said second gear includes a depending wall cooperating to engage with said movable element, a pivotal braking member mounted on said wall, a fixed ring surrounding said wall, said pivotal braking member being adapted to move into contact with said ring on movement of said movable element out of engagement with said slot.

3. The machine according to claim 2 including means for securing said braking member and said movable element when said movable element is seated in said slot.

4. The machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for securing said braking member and said movable element comprises a screw mounted in said braking element, a ball arranged within a bore in said wall, a conical groove formed in said movable element, and spring means for normally biasing said braking element to force said ball within said groove, said screw, ball and groove being arranged so that said ball is received within said groove when said movable element is seated within said slot.

5. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said movable element comprises a forked shaped body having a pair of arms straddling said shaft and a projection extending therefrom and adapted to be seated within said slot.

6. The machine according to claim 5 including spring means for biasing said movable element normally within said slot.

7. The machine according to claim 6 including means adapted to engage the point of said forked body to axially and radially move said point from within said slot to thereby disengage said movable element therefrom. 

1. In a knitting machine having a pair of rotatable needle cylinders aligned along a common axis each of said cylinders being provided with a driven gear, means for rotating one of said cylinders, transmission means normally interconnecting said cylinders to rotate the second cylinder conjointly with said one cylinder, said transmission comprising shaft aligned parallel to said axis, a first gear mounted at one end of said shaft meshing with the driven gear on said one cylinder, clutch means mounted at the other end of Said shaft, said clutch means including a second gear meshing with the driven gear on said second cylinder and a cup shaped member axially secured on said shaft, said cup shaped member having an annular flange and a transverse slot formed in said flange, a movable element interposed between said cup shaped member and said second gear, said movable element having means adapted to seat within said slot and means cooperatingly engaging said second gear, and means for moving said movable element selectively into and out of said slot whereby said transmission means is disconnectable to selectively interrupt rotation of the second cylinder while said first cylinder continues rotating.
 2. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said second gear includes a depending wall cooperating to engage with said movable element, a pivotal braking member mounted on said wall, a fixed ring surrounding said wall, said pivotal braking member being adapted to move into contact with said ring on movement of said movable element out of engagement with said slot.
 3. The machine according to claim 2 including means for securing said braking member and said movable element when said movable element is seated in said slot.
 4. The machine according to claim 3 wherein said means for securing said braking member and said movable element comprises a screw mounted in said braking element, a ball arranged within a bore in said wall, a conical groove formed in said movable element, and spring means for normally biasing said braking element to force said ball within said groove, said screw, ball and groove being arranged so that said ball is received within said groove when said movable element is seated within said slot.
 5. The machine according to claim 1 wherein said movable element comprises a forked shaped body having a pair of arms straddling said shaft and a projection extending therefrom and adapted to be seated within said slot.
 6. The machine according to claim 5 including spring means for biasing said movable element normally within said slot.
 7. The machine according to claim 6 including means adapted to engage the point of said forked body to axially and radially move said point from within said slot to thereby disengage said movable element therefrom. 